Barnyard Commandos is an action figure line created by toy designer James Groman for American Greetings Corporation and produced by Playmates Toys in 1989. A thirteen-episode French-American animated series was based on the figures the following year. Produced by Murakami-Wolf-Swenson and the French company IDDH. It features the vocal talents of S. Scott Bullock, Thom Bray, Pat Fraley, Paul Kreppel, John Mariano, Bob Ridgely, Lennie Weinrib, and Danny Wells. However, the series was not successful enough to merit further production of episodes.[1]
Barnyard Commandos | |
---|---|
Starring | S. Scott Bullock Thom Bray Pat Fraley Paul Hreppel John Mariano Bob Ridgely Lennie Weinrib Danny Wells |
Country of origin | United States France |
No. of episodes | 4 |
Production | |
Executive producer | Fred Wolf |
Producers | Murakami-Wolf-Swenson Those Characters From Cleveland Sachs, Finley Programming |
Running time | 23 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | First-run syndication |
Release | September 4, 1990 |
Plot
editThe property is based around the concept of farm animals who consumed radioactive materials left over from an abandoned military experiment, mutating them into hyper-intelligent, anthropomorphic paramilitary troops.[2] This consists of two "hilariously harmless" opposing teams: the R.A.M.S. (Rebel Army of Military Sheep) and the P.O.R.K.S. (Platoon of Rebel Killer Swine).
Revival
editOn June 19, 2020, it was announced CloudCo with partner Megalopolis Toys will make new Barnyard Commandos figures.[3]
Action figures
editTwo series of Barnyard Commandos were produced, each including several figures from both teams. Similar to Mattel's Food Fighters, the figures are non-poseable and made of soft, hollow plastic much like squeaky toys. They each include a weapon accessory that fastens onto the figure and a brief, humorous character description on the cardback.
Burger King also produced a series of tie-in toys as Kids' Meal premiums.
Series 1
editR.A.M.S.
editP.O.R.K.S.
editSeries 2
editR.A.M.S.
edit- Master Sergeant Cornelius Cannonfodder
- Private Bull Bellwether
- Commander Missiles Muttonchop
- Lieutenant Sureshot Shearling
P.O.R.K.S.
edit- Corporal Hy Ondahog
- Staff Sergeant Blaster McBacon
- Major Piggyback Gunner
- Captain Hogg Wilde
Vehicles
edit- Bacon Bomber
- Pork Chopper
- Pork-A-Pult
- Ram Tank
Home video
editOnly four episodes of the series were released to four NTSC VHS tapes with one episode each.
- Apple-Calypse Now
- Back to the Farm
- Treasure of Ram Pork Mountain
- Ultimate Quest
References
edit- ^ Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 59–60. ISBN 978-1538103739.
- ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 112–113. ISBN 978-1476665993.
- ^ "Deals of the Week: Justice, Blue Ant, 9 Story".